#TodayInHistory The epic battle of #RezangLa during the 1962 War, when 114 Ahir soldiers of 13 Kumaon led by Major Shaitan Singh Bhatti, put up one of history's greatest last man stands ever, against a much larger Chinese army. #LestWeForget

In the annals of Indian Military history, #RezangLa , would be mentioned in the same breath as other “to the last man standing” battles like Masada, Alamo, Charge of the Light Brigade and Thermopylae.

The 1962 India China war, an event that most of us would like to forget, one of the most ignominious chapters in the history of India, post Independence. China was seeking to assume leadership of the Afro Asian nations, and it saw India as a serious rival.

More than that, India granting asylum to the Dalai Lama, it’s tacit support to the revolt in Tibet, was seen in a not too positive light by China. Also China never really accepted the McMahon line that served as the boundary between the two nations.

1962 was not the first time, China had attacked India, there had been border skirmishes earlier too in 1959, seizing a border post at Longju in the North East, and another being an attack at Konga, around 80 Km straight into Indian territory.

The Chinese did not just stop with some border skirmishes, they actually built roads right up to Spanggur Gap in the West, and Walong in the East. India on the other hand was caught napping literally, to face it’s worst defeat ever.

But then even in moments of darkness, there have been moments that shone through, and during the ’62 war, it was the to the last man standing resistance at Rezang La, against all odds, that to date, has been one such moment. #RezanglaDay

But why Rezang La? What was it’s importance?
Chushul valley where Rezang La is located, was pretty much a barren, sandy strip. Around 40 Km long, and just 5.6 km at it’s widest, Chushul is located at an altitude of 14,230 ft surrounded by towering mountains..

On the northern side is the spectacular Pangong Tso lake, while the eastern and western parts are filled with high mountain peaks. In the South there was an all weather airfield, and the east had the Spanggur Gap.

Chushul was considered strategically important, and much before the war, itself, China, had built roads that could carry tanks all the way up to Spanggur. Chushul was the main nodal point for all Indian military outposts in this sector, and it’s defense was seen as vital.

The 13 Kumaon was raised on August 5,1948 by Lt.Col. H.C.Taylor, with around 50% of Kumaonis and Ahirs from Haryana. In 1956, this was made a 100% Ahir battalion, on the suggestion of the then Regiment Colonel, K.S.Thimayya, and the process was complete by March 1960.

The Ahirs claim to be Somvanshi Kshatriyas, one of the major Yadav clans, it is for this reason, that Ahir and Yadav are used interchangeably. One of the influential communities in Haryana, they reside mostly in the Rewari-Narnaul area.

One of the most important Ahir heroes was Rao Tula Ram, a key leader of the 1857 Rebellion, who played a key role in checking the British advance into South west Haryana, and also assisted the rebels in Delhi.

Prior to 1962, the 13 Kumaon had experience, fighting the Naga counter insurgency in the Naga Hills led by the self styled leader, Kito Sema. The battalion had shown it’s prowess, by capturing weapons, many self styled generals and commanders of the underground Naga Army.

It was the tough counter insurgency operations in Naga Hills( now Nagaland), that made 13 Kumaon a battle hardened unit, ready for actual combat.

13 Kumaon had already moved to Baramulla for training, at high altitude, in anticipation of the war ahead. By Oct 2,1962 they had moved to Leh along with 114 Infantry Brigade, and was scheduled to go to Chusul by March 1963. #RezanglaDay

With intelligence reports of an impending Chinese attack on Chusul, the 3rd Infantry Division was raised hurriedly. By Oct 13, the B and C companies of 13 Kumaon were sent to Chushul, and took charge of Mugger Hill and Rezang La Pass. #RezanglaDay

The D company of 13 Kumaon, occupied the vital Spanngur Gap, while the Battalion HQ was located in the High Ground.
Under Major Shaitan Singh, 3 Platoons were deployed at Rezang La. #RezanglaDay

One on the Northern side under Jemadar Surja, another in the pass under Jemadar Hari Ram, and south under Jemadar Ram Chandar. The Company C HQ was under the charge of Naik Ram Kumar Yadav along with 3 Inch Mortar. #RezanglaDay #Rezangla

The Chinese had 3 ways to reach Chushul, one was the pretty much circuitous route from Khurnak Fort through Leh, and only a battalion with support of animal transport could move.

The other route was from Rudok to Chushul, which had a class 9 road and the 3rd approach was from Rudok to Chushul via Rezang La. #RezanglaDay

Rezang La was the pass that lay on the South Eastern approach to Chusul, it was being manned by C Company of 13 Kumaon under the leadership of Major Shaitan Singh. Located at an altitude of 16,000 feet above sea level, it was roughly around 3 km long and 2 km wide.

The fact is that the troops were ill prepared for the defense, with no mechanized digging equipment, they had to manually dig defenses in the rocky terrain. The hard job, couple with the lack of oxygen, the biting cold, made the task of the men, even tougher. #RezanglaDay

Many of the troops were not yet acclimatized to the conditions. Add to it, the local ponies and yaks carrying the woolen clothing, rations, sleeping bags had not yet arrived. #RezanglaDay

There was another serious issue, the pass was surrounded by high mountain peaks, which were an impediment to artillery shells, and this denied them a proper artillery backup. #RezanglaDay

No artillery support, using .303 rifles which were of WWII vintage, no proper woolen clothing and ancient radio sets, which could not communicate due to frozen batteries,that was the state of the Indian side. #Rezangla

In sharp contrast, the Chinese had 7.62 SLR’s( Self Loading Rifles) and the troops were acclimatized to the conditions. Also the Chinese troops consisted of locals from Singkiang, who were familiar with the region and climate. #RezanglaDay

While the Indian side was made of Ahirs, who coming from North Indian plains, and deployed in high altitude for the first time, were totally unfamiliar with the environment. #RezanglaDay

The unit also did not have sufficient time to stock and place out mines, and there was also no mutual support for the sub units, due to the wide spaces. Also the lack of artillery support due to the topography, and not enough mines to slow down enemy advances. #Rezangla

On Oct 24, Order was issued to fight to the last man standing, there was nothing else to do, considering the inadequate preparations.
#RezanglaDay

After a heavy snowstorm, on Nov 17, at 2 AM on Nov 18, movements of Chinese soldiers were observed by Lance Naik Brij Lal, who rushed back to inform to Platoon 8 HQ. Soon the entire C company was alerted #RezanglaDay

Major Shaitan Singh, confirmed that all the unit soldiers were at their positions. The Chinese plan was to launch a massive surprise attack, but it was coming to nought, with the C company on full alert. #Rezangla

. At 5 AM, the Chinese soldiers were spotted by all the Ahirs manning the defenses, and the first round of firing through LMG’s, MMGs and mortars began. The Chinese launched 4 attacks trying to overwhelm through a wave formation #RezanglaDay

But the spirited resistance, meant many of them lay dead in the gullies. The casualties were mounting on the Indian side too, with many Ahirs falling to Chinese bullets. Naik Chandgi Ram, launched a counter attack on the invading Chinese, using his bayonet, killing around 6-7.

The first wave of Chinese attacks were beaten back by 5:45 AM. Rezang La was not turning out to be the walk in the park, that they had expected it to be. Understanding that a full frontal attack was not effective, the Chinese began to use their artillery fire power

The superior Chinese artillery, overwhelmed most of the Indian positions, the Command Center was shelled. Major Shaitan Singh had the unenviable task of regrouping his remaining officers, to take on the Chinese invaders, who by now were beating down furiously
#Rezangla

Shaitan Singh, moved from one gun position to another, exhorting his depleting defenses to keep fighting till the last man. He was hit by LMG fire on the arm, but that did not deter him as he kept firing at the enemy, with whatever limited resources he had. #RezanglaDay

Another burst of enemy fire, hit Shaitan Singh in the stomach, and he was pulled to safety by Phool Singh and Jai Narain Singh. He ordered his men to leave him, and rush to the defense of the Battalion, and he slowly froze to death with a grenade in his hand. #RezanglaDay

Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, fought till the end, egging his men on, never surrendering, ensured that the Chinese would not get a walk over. True hero #RezanglaDay #Rezangla

On the other side, 1/8 GR fought valiantly in Spanggur Gap, with artillery back up and tanks destroying the enemy advances. Lt. Goswami gave ample to the defense of Gurung Hill under Capt P.L.Kher, losing his own legs due to frost bite, would be decorated with a Mahavir Chakra.

Havildar Major Harpool Singh, led 3 other survivors to stop the enemy onslaught before falling, while Naik Ram Kumar, held back the invading Chinese soldiers with his own .303 rifle, before he was badly injured in a grenade attack. #RezanglaDay

It was Ram Kumar, who would narrate the story to the higher authorities. As the last round was fired, and the last soldier fell, a shroud of silence enveloped Rezang La, no reinforcements could be provided to the C Company nor any was asked for either. #RezanglaDay

As the last round was fired, and the last soldier fell, a shroud of silence enveloped Rezang La, no reinforcements could be provided to the C Company nor any was asked for either. Ceasefire was declared 3 days later on Nov 21, 1962 #RezanglaDay #Rezangla

The sacrifice and raw heroism shown by C Company against all odds would never be forgotten. The body of Major Shaitan Singh was discovered in February 1963, still clutching his hand grenade, and so were bodies of around 96 soldiers,still clinging to their weapons. #RezanglaDay

It was heroism against all odds, an outnumbered, batallion, with outdated equipment, holding back a much larger and better equipped invading force. These 114 men who laid down their lives, ensured that the Chinese side would lose a whole lot of theirs too #RezanglaDay

. Major Shaitan Singh was posthumously decorated with the Param Vir Chakra, Brigadier T.N.Raina who commanded the 114 Infantry Brigade for defense of Chusul was given the Maha Vir Chakra. #RezanglaDay #Rezangla

November 18,1962.
Take time to remember and pay a tribute to the heroes of Rezang La.
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, the 114 Ahirs of 13 Kumaon, C Company.
Salute to the heroes. #RezanglaDay